KU chancellor issues cease-and-desist order for fraternities for violating COVID rules
The chancellor of the University of Kansas has issued a cease and desist order for two fraternities, citing violations of health guidelines amid a global pandemic the weekend before classes begin.
The order applies to Kappa Sigma and Phi Kappa Psi, according to a public statement published Sunday by Chancellor Douglas Girod. However, the statement doesn’t specify what the fraternities must cease doing. A 14-day public health ban has also been issued for members of each fraternity.
“We will not tolerate selfish and irresponsible behavior that puts the health and safety of our community at risk; that disrespects staff, faculty and students who have worked to prepare our campuses for reopening; that jeopardizes the long-term viability of the university; and that recklessly disregards the authorities of the university, city, and county,” Girod wrote.
On Thursday, the university announced that 89 people, all but two of whom were students, tested positive for COVID-19 at its Lawrence and Edwards campuses, according to initial results. The majority of the positive tests came from the college’s fraternity and sorority community, Girod said at the time.
On Sunday, he emphasized that students must keep the well-being of all the whole university community in mind when making decisions.
“Students, let us again be perfectly frank about our situation. We need each of you to rise to this occasion. We expect it of you, and we cannot settle for less,” Girod wrote. “...Though this pandemic is impossibly complicated, the expectations of you are not. “
Students who don’t follow the university’s regulations regarding gatherings, face masks and social distancing could face repercussions as serious as suspension, he continued. The violation of state or county guidelines could also result in criminal or civil penalties.
The chancellor’s remarks came the day after a video of an angry exchange between a Lawrence motorist and Kappa Sigma members went viral.
The video shows the motorist, Jacob Schooler, exchange words with students and a woman outside a fraternity house after, Schooler says, he mistakenly pulled into their driveway and one of the group threw an alcoholic drink into his car.
“This behavior is unacceptable at any time during a pandemic, getting liquids from a cup that you have been drinking out of thrown into someone’s face, that is so incredibly scary,” Schooler told The Star on Sunday.
The Gamma-Omicron chapter of Kappa Sigma released a statement Sunday in which they said they’d not yet “validated” Schooler’s statement that a beverage was thrown on him, though they offered an apology if true.
“When confronted by our membership for maintaining his presence on private property, he became hostile, used aggressive language, and threatened to run over our members,” the statement read of Schooler.
The fraternity identified the men in the background of the video as residents of the chapter’s house. They said, in keeping with university guidelines, no outside guests are allowed on the property. All residents previously tested negative for coronavirus, they added.
The group was gathered outside to welcome new sorority pledges to KU, the statement continued.
“While it is regrettable that this incident occurred, it is equally regrettable that individuals have subsequently chosen to invade the privacy of law-abiding individuals residing on their property, including inflicting property damage upon our house this morning ...” the statement reads.
They identify the woman engaging with Schooler in the video as their house director who makes sure the house is sanitized twice a day and that members are complying with health orders, they said.
“For those who stand to stifle the academic and personal growth of young people in 2020, we stand in firm opposition to that mindset and support fully the academic endeavors of our membership as they grow into the leaders of tomorrow,” the fraternity leaders wrote.
In an interview with CNN’s Kate Bolduan on Thursday, Dr. Lee Norman, the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said he was concerned about five COVID-19 clusters reported at Kansas colleges or universities.
“Granted classes just started on Monday, so we know that the ones testing positive probably brought it in from their home communities,” Norman said. “I know we’re going to have more outbreaks than just the five.”
“I think there needs to be a significant curtailment of their social activities because they are just not getting it ... ,” Norman continued. “I’ve kind of given up a little bit on the fraternity and sorority members quite honestly.”
The Star’s Glenn Rice contributed to this report.
This story was originally published August 23, 2020 at 10:54 PM.
